Countdown to Christmas Carols

Richard has been entertaining Melbourne audiences for over twenty-five years. His theatre credits include Mame, Sweet Charity, Follies, The Secret Garden, Les Miserables, Chicago, Rebecca, The Producers, The Phantom of the Opera and Mary Poppins.

He is a versatile entertainer who has hosted and performed for various corporates, councils and clubs including Crown, AMP, NAB and Volvo and the cities of Stonnington, Manningham, Kingston, Knox, Darebin, Monash, Moonee Valley, and Whitehorse, and Freemasons of Victoria, Lions and Rotary Clubs.

His charity work includes the Royal Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, Starlight Foundation and Red Cross. He is a regular artist for St Paul’s Cathedral and The Melbourne Singers. In 2012 Richard performed at the opening of the Grace Kelly: Style Icon Exhibition for Princess Charlene of Monaco, in 2013 played the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, in 2016 played Mr Banks in Mary Poppins and in 2018 played Jean Valjean in Les Miserables for which he was awarded the Best Actor in a Musical.

His album recordings include, The Impossible Dream, I Need To Know and The Voice Within that have enjoyed critical acclaim from music writers worldwide.

Rhonda Burchmore is a seasoned Australian entertainer, renowned for her exceptional talent and captivating stage presence. With a career spanning several decades, Rhonda has become an icon in the world of entertainment. She has graced stages both nationally and internationally, leaving audiences in awe with her multifaceted abilities.

Rhonda's journey in the entertainment industry began at a young age, and she quickly rose to prominence as a singer, dancer, and actress. Her versatile talents have allowed her to excel in a wide range of performing arts, from musical theatre to cabaret and beyond. Rhonda has dazzled audiences in numerous acclaimed productions, including "Hot Shoe Shuffle" and "Mamma Mia!" She has also made memorable appearances on television shows and in films, further cementing her status as a beloved Australian entertainer. 

Her participation in Bayside Carols promises to be a highlight of the event, bringing warmth and holiday spirit to the audience.

Introducing the All Star Carols band, led by the renowned Musical Director, John Turcio, on piano. This exceptional house band features Australia's most accomplished session musicians, who have collaborated with the most iconic touring and recording artists we all cherish.

The incredible lineup features,

Drumming sensation, Dean Cooper

Grooving on the bass, none other than Robert Severini

The maestro on guitar, Jack Pantazis

Jael Wena comes from a very musical family and began singing as soon as she could talk. In 2018, Jael represented Australia in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and has since appeared on The Voice (season 11), Australia’s Got Talent (Season 9) and then in 2022, Jael and her family competed in a historical first, “The Voice Generations” where they made it to the Grand Final.

Jael Wena is a force to be reckoned with. With vocal abilities like Whitney Houston, she is sure to capture the hearts of the world.

Sean Millis possesses an extraordinary vocal talent that's simply awe-inspiring. Recently, he unveiled his debut single and has been discreetly immersed in a prominent Australian film project featuring an international ensemble. Sean also graced the 2023 season of "The Voice Australia”.

Through the captivating narrative of his inspiring journey and remarkable performances on the show, he not only captured hearts but also cultivated a dedicated and enthusiastic fan base on his social media with amassing over 450K followers on Tik Tok alone.

Annie's remarkable journey in the world of entertainment began at the tender age of eight when she made her professional stage debut in "The Sound of Music” and then children's ensemble of the hit stage production "School of Rock". Annie then took her talents to the USA, where she graced the stage of "America's Got Talent" (AGT).

Her journey on AGT led her to the Quarterfinals before she returned home to participate in the nationwide campaign "You Can't Keep A Good Thing Down" for Virgin Australia. Annie's future in the entertainment world is undoubtedly one filled with promise and continued success.

Zoe Sunday, a remarkable 15-year-old performer with a rich background in vocal training spanning over five years. Zoe's stage presence has graced numerous community events in the past, and she's eager to continue sharing her passion with even more audiences in the future.

Her songwriting journey has been a creative endeavour she holds close to her heart, and she's thrilled at the prospect of unveiling her original compositions to captivated audiences in 2023 and beyond, keep an eye out for Zoe Sunday.

Allow us to introduce the sensational 20-year-old vocalist, Paris Sims, who radiates sheer enthusiasm as she graces the stage tonight at the Bayside Carols. Paris has already carved a remarkable path in the world of music.

Her high school years were adorned with numerous leading roles, and her voice stands as a formidable and awe-inspiring presence. Notably, Paris captivated audiences from the main stage at Carols in The Domain last year, and we are honoured to welcome her to the Bayside Carols stage in 2023. 

Violeta & Michael come together as a duo in life and on the stage as they add their classic touch to every event. With their exotic style and elegance, they specialise in a range of genres from Pop, Ballads, Jazz, Classical/Opera, and R&B.

Diamanté Duo combines two breathtaking voices with pianist backgrounds to create a diverse performance that will blow you away. Diamonte have travelled the world writing and performing their music in some of the world's most prestigious venues and are excited to be performing at Bayside Carols 2023.

Theatre De La DanSe is an award-winning dance school in Brighton. Offering classes from preschool through to adult, and beginners to advanced – there is something for everyone! TDLD has been in operation since 1998, and has built a strong reputation for nurturing dancers, regardless of whether they dance recreationally or wish to pursue a career in dance. 

The Southern Area Concert Band is one of Victoria's premier community based ensembles.  Sponsored by the City of Kingston and based in Moorabbin, the Southern Area Concert Band family has been contributing to Melbourne's rich cultural life by providing award-winning quality music to the public since 1971. 

Vocally Wild is a successful, long-standing, independent mixed community choir where the love and joy of music is experienced by a friendly, cohesive group of singers who create delightful harmony in a supportive environment. Led by Music Director, Bill Miles, the choir enjoys bringing the Christmas spirit to their local community each year.

Mosaic is a community choir for everyone who enjoys singing in good company. Mosaic welcomes people from all walks of life with no previous experience needed; learning is part of everything they do. Mosaic's repertoire is made up of an eclectic mix of music with Christmas Carols being some of their favourites.